Why a Badger?

[Deb]

No: HPFGUIDX 139747

Ali wrote:
> I've looked around through posts and this has had some 
discussion.  
> Does anyone have any insight on why the Hufflepuff mascot is a 
Badger 
> and what sort of symbology it might have?
> 
> The only cultures I know of that have the Badger as a folk 
symbolic 
> figure are the Native American and the Japanese, and then we have 
the 
> idioms "to Badger someone" and "the Badger game" (unless I have 
the 
> wrong animal in there, and I may -- where two people set up a 
scenario 
> to take advantage of someone, a fake guerilla theatre of sorts, 
and 
> then a third comes in, who is in cahoots with the two, and they 
bilk 
> the unsuspecting victim, often a game of someone being set up with 
a 
> woman who is in cahoots and then her boyfriend comes out of the 
> woodwork with some sort of blackmail scheme).
> 
> Can anyone catch me up on thoughts on "Why a Badger?"
> 
> 
> Ali

JKR has drawn from many many cultures, mythologies, traditions, and 
spiritual philosophies to create her concept of theWizarding World. 
Yet I have not seen any discussion of how Native American beliefs 
might come into play. I'm glad you brought this up as Native 
American Spirituality is an interest of mine.   

 In Native American traditions Badger is a very powerful totem 
animal 
Badger's Wisdom Includes: 

Keeper of stories 
Bold Self-Expresssion 
Aggressiveness 
Single-mindedness 
Passion 
Cunning 
Revenge 
Perseverance 
Control 
Antidote to passivity or victimization 
Persistence in the service of a mission 
Groundedness 
Knowledge of the earth 
Earth magick and wisdom 
Creative action in a crisis 
Protection of rights and spiritual ideas 

>From Shamanism: Working with Animal Spirits

 http://www.geocities.com/animalspirits/index1.html

Also look up Snake, Eagle, Lion, Spider, Bee, and other animals that 
have been mentioned in the HP books. 

According to Native American tradition, each person is connected 
with one or more animals that will accompany her/him on her/his path 
through life and nurture her/his talents and abilities. 

Each animal has it's own special power and message, for each animal 
has a powerful spirit and an inherent skill. Animal Spirits choose a 
person to be a companion to, a friend to, not the other way around. 

The characteristics of a specific animal often rub off on those who 
have it as a totem. 
 
Deb (djklaugh)